"roles" in the noun sense
1. function, office, part, role
the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group
"the function of a teacher"
"the government must do its part"
"play its role"
2. character, role, theatrical role, part, persona
an actor's portrayal of someone in a play
"she played the part of Desdemona"
3. function, purpose, role, use
what something is used for
"the function of an auger is to bore holes"
"ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"
4. role
normal or customary activity of a person in a particular social setting
"what is your role on the team?"
Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)
Princeton University "About WordNet®."
WordNet®. Princeton University. 2010.
View WordNet® License